May is a transitional month – we go from winter to spring in the space of 31 days. It was a flipped month, with the warmer days in the first half of the month and the colder days in the second half.

Cold, blustery, some rain, just like last year. And so, we are all wondering, is this a trend? We know that it’s nothing to fret about, far better this than intense heat, which has now become the norm this time of year down in the Lower-48.

My day started in surreal fashion. I did not sleep well last night. In fact, I did not sleep at all. I kept fretting about the fact that I had to get up early in order to get to an 8:00 a.m. breakfast and a 9:00 a.m. meeting.

Tack shed

I did get up on time. I did my chores, and I took off, for town. I attempted to back the car out of the driveway and discovered that the steering wheel wasn’t working. I thought, huh, well, it doesn’t turn well, but it turns some. Then I realized that I was not going anywhere in this particular vehicle. I called Pete and he came and got me. As it turned out, he had taken out a fuse in an attempt to fix the rear door – it won’t open automatically anymore.

So we met up with Mike Walsh just a few minutes before our 9:00 a.m. meeting. He’d flown to Anchorage from Fairbanks, and this afternoon was to fly back. The meeting itself was long, and at times contentious. Essentially, it comes down to this – the BLBP needs staff, staff, staff. This is what Mike and Pete both said, repeatedly. They could, I thought, be a singing duo. The song would of course be entitled, “Short Staffed.” Now, if it made some money, this would partially solve the problem because then we’d be able to hire additional employees.

It's going to happen. It’s going to happen. It’s going to happen.

We are moving forward – staffing and prioritizing what it is we do – these are things that are considered by a growing organization.

Went to the Trunk Road Laundromat. Stocked bookcase shelves. And got ice cream cones. I had not had breakfast or lunch, so this was a most welcomed meal.

Came home. I rested for a bit, then after dinner, Pete and I took Hrimmi and Raudi for a ride. Raudi did not cough. However, Pete (who rode her) said that she was very winded. Tomorrow I will talk with Zach Kaiser, our veterinarian, about this. I think that she’s woefully out of condition. I also did TTouches on her.

I have this theory that if you are actively engaged with your horse, you will spend money on it. Well, we purchased three bright orange Cordura blankets thinking they were rain sheets. I’m glad we got these mid-weight blankets – they will not come off and they will keep the horses warm in the winter.

We’ll see about the trip plans tomorrow. Most importantly, I want for Raudi to be well.

Next: 150. 5/31/24: One of these Days